The first
step to prevent identity theft is awareness of how and when you use your personal
information. By keeping close tabs on your personal information, you can reduce
your chances of becoming an identity theft victim. Let’s start with
credit cards.

Memorize your Social
Security number and passwords. Don’t record your password on papers
you carry with you.

Use a firewall program
on your computer, especially if you leave your computer connected to the
Internet 24 hours a day.

Do not download files
sent to you by strangers or click on hyperlinks from people you don’t
know.

Students applying for or using student loans should also:

Use caution when
using commercial financial aid services over the Internet or telephone.
U.S. Department of Education services are free and password- protected.
Before deciding to use a for-fee financial aid advice service, visit the
Looking
for Student Aid site.

Apply for federal
student aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
After completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
electronically, remember to exit the application and close the browser.

Don’t reveal
your PIN to anyone, even it that person is helping you fill our the FAFSA.
The only time you should use your PIN is on secure ED systems.

Shred receipts and
copies of documents with personal information if they are no longer needed.

Review your financial
aid award documents and keep track of the amount of student aid you applied
for and have been awarded.

Report all lost or
stolen student identification immediately.

These are
just a few basic steps to take immediately to protect your personal information.
Following are some links to other good sources of information to help you
reduce your exposure to identity theft.

Credit Card Alert!
Pre-approved credit card offers probably flood your mailbox every week. Whatever
you do, don’t simply throw away these offers; an identity thief can
easily pick up a stray application and apply for the card in your name. You
should shred these applications before you dispose of them. Credit card companies
also entice students on campus with promotional items and free gifts. These
offers are risky, providing an opening for identity theft. You should review
your statements, and your bank and credit card statements, as soon as you
receive them. Thieves can charge thousands of dollars to an account in a very
short period of time. Your best protection is to pick up all your mail promptly.
Leaving mail lying around your dorm or apartment provides another opportunity
for your personal information to be taken and abused.

A Special Word About Social Security
Numbers

You need
to be particularly vigilant about safeguarding your Social Security Number.
Your employer and bank will likely need your SSN for wage and tax reporting
purposes. Other businesses may ask you for your SSN to do a credit check,
such as when you apply for a loan, rent an apartment, or sign up for utilities.
Sometimes, however, they simply want your SSN for general record keeping.
You don’t have to give a business your SSN just because someone asks
for it. If someone asks for your SSN, ask the following questions:

Why do you need my
SSN?

How
will my SSN be used?

What law requires me to give you my SSN?

What will happen
if I don’t give you my SSN?

Sometimes a business may not provide you with the service or benefit you’re
seeking if you don’t provide your SSN. Getting answers to these questions
will help you decide whether you want to share your SSN with the business.
Remember – the decision is yours.